If you searched for, “why do my legs hurt after wearing compression socks” on the internet, you’re at the right place. While compression socks can help you reduce pain, swelling and manage varicose veins, they can also cause discomfort and pain if you don’t wear them right.
In this article, we’ll discuss why your legs hurt after you wear compression socks and how to make sure you’re comfortable in these stockings.
What Are Compression Socks?
Compression socks are stockings that can improve blood circulation in your lower legs and reduce swelling. They can also help you heal faster, prevent blood clots and manage health conditions like orthostatic hypotension, vasovagal syncope, dysautonomia, and postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS).
You can read more about compression socks benefits and how wearing the stockings can help with different medical conditions here on our website.
Reasons Compression Socks May Hurt Your Legs
As great as compression socks are, wearing a pair can still cause discomfort because of incorrect size, high compression level, or inadequate hydration. Understanding why you’re experiencing discomfort can help you know how to resolve the issue.
Wrong Size
Getting the right socks size is important because it can affect the level of pressure you get on your legs. Too big and it may be useless, too small and the pressure may be uneven and excessive. When pressure is too much and uneven, the socks may hurt and break skin if you have thin and brittle skin according to a 2014 study.
To prevent this, you should check out the sizing guide of the brand or manufacturer you’re buying the socks from.
Unsuitable Compression Level
Compression socks come in different pressure levels measured in mmHg. These pressure levels could be medical grade, manageable or firm. Firm compression level is a low degree of pressure from 15 to 20 mmHg. This level of pressure is very gentle and you can wear it everyday. You also don’t need a medical prescription to wear stockings with firm compression levels.
Moderate compression pressure is about 20 to 30 mmHg. According to a 2021 study, graduated compression socks with about 20 to 30 mmHg are great for people with edema and varicose veins.
The highest level of compression pressure is medical grade between 30 to 40 mmHg. This level of pressure is only available by prescription to treat serious medical conditions like lymphedema, venous leg ulcers, or improve recovery after surgery.
To prevent pain because your stockings have a high compression level, you may want to start with lower pressure and gradually increase it to get used to it.
Pre-existing Medical Conditions
Some underlying medical conditions can make your legs hurt when you wear compression stockings. Some of these conditions are varicose veins, peripheral artery disease and deep vein thrombosis (DVT). So, if you have any pre-existing medical condition, we advise that you visit a qualified medical practitioner and get a standard prescription. By getting a prescription, you can be sure that the pressure level of compression socks you’re getting is tailored to your medical condition.
Adjustment Period
Your legs may be hurting because your body needs some time to adapt to the compression socks. This can happen because the body isn’t yet used to the pressure of the compression socks especially if it’s just your first time wearing them.
If you’re just starting out with compression socks, you should consider the following tips:
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Wear your stockings when your legs are less likely to be swollen first thing in the morning.
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Slip your feet into your socks slowly and smooth it out to prevent the fabric from snagging.
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Remove any jewelry that can tear or snag the fabric of your compression socks when you are wearing them.
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Moisture makes wearing stockings difficult. So, don;t use oils or lotion right before you wear them.
Allergic Reactions
You need to make sure the compression socks you’re wearing aren't made of fabrics you’re allergic to. Two of the most common compression stockings material you need to watch out for are nylon and merino wool. A lot of manufacturers use these fabrics because they’re flexible and stretchy.
Other Signs Your Compression Socks May Not Be a Good Fit
While your leg hurting could be a sign that your socks are not a good fit, the following signs could also show that your socks are a bad fit even if your leg isn’t hurting.
Socks Slide Down Your Legs
Your socks definitely aren’t fitting right if they slide down your legs. This may be a sign that they’re too large if you just got them. It could also be a sign that they’ve gotten looser as your swelling reduces if you’ve been wearing them for a while. When this happens, you may have to get a new pair to maintain the pressure level of your stockings,
Stockings Bunching Up
Compression socks are not meant to bunch up when you wear them. Instead, they should be firm and snug to your skin.
Compression stockings typically come in two lengths, which are, regular and short. Bunching up may mean the stockings are too long for your legs and you may need to get a smaller size.
Swelling
Wearing compression socks should reduce any swelling on your legs and not add to it or be ineffective. So, make sure the size of your compression socks is right for your medical condition and check in with a doctor to confirm your prescription.
Can’t Get the Stockings on
Your compression socks may run too small if you find it impossible to get them on. To prevent swelling and breaking skin, you should always get socks that are your size.
How to Make Sure You Are Comfortable in Compression Socks
You can make sure your compression socks are comfortable by finding out what you need from the stockings and the compression level you need to achieve it. Once that’s done, check out the size chart and figure out what’s right for you.
Different brands have different sizing methods, so, checking out the size chart of the brand you’re buying from can help you avoid getting stockings that are too tight or loose. You may even go as far as to measure the circumference of your calf and other parts of your lower leg if the brand provides such measurements in their size chart.
When to Stop Wearing Compression Socks
As great as compression socks are, you shouldn’t wear them forever. Once you’ve treated your medical condition, or achieved the result you wanted, you should stop wearing them. For instance, after surgery, you may have to wear compression socks for 2 to 8 weeks. When the period is over, your doctor or surgeon may tell you to stop because treating a condition that doesn’t exist anymore may bring you more harm than good.
If you want to wear compression socks to reduce swelling when you exercise, 3 to 4 hours during and after every gym session should suffice. On the other hand, nurses and healthcare workers can wear compression socks for 12 hours because that is how long most of their shifts are.
Conclusion
At this point, you should already know the reasons your legs may hurt when you wear compression socks. Wearing ill-fitting socks with a high compression level can cause discomfort, swelling and pain. It may even worsen underlying conditions like diabetes and deep vein thrombosis. That’s why it’s important to get stockings in your size.
If you’re looking for compression socks that fit and don’t hurt, you can get one here at our online store.
FAQs
Who can wear compression socks?
Anyone can wear non-medical compression socks to soothe their aching legs and speed up muscle recovery. However, to wear medical grade compression socks, you should get a Doctor’s prescription.
Is it safe to wear compression socks?
Yes, it’s safe to wear compression socks as long as you wear it moderately and follow the Doctor’s diagnosis and prescription if you have any.
What are the side effects of compression socks?
Compression socks don’t have any side effects though they may cut off your circulation or cause pain if you don’t wear the right size. In some situations, they may also cause skin ulcers, dry skin, itchiness and redness.
Can I wear compression socks if I sit all day?
Yes, you can wear compression socks if you sit all day. In fact, compression socks can help you prevent blood and other fluid from pooling around your ankles and swelling up. It can also redirect the blood to your heart and make your blood circulation system better.
